In recognising the carbon sequestration benefits of timber, the recently opened National Throws Centre of Excellence in Brisbane serves as a proven test case for the economical delivery of timber infrastructure to achieve the climate positive Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.

The glue laminated timber (GLT) structure commenced life in HQP’s Queensland pine plantation before being sawn at Hyne Timber’s Tuan Mill near Maryborough and further manufactured into GLT at their glulam plant in Maryborough. With 141 years of timber manufacturing in regional Queensland employing hundreds of people, it doesn’t get more Queensland than that!

And yet it does. It was designed by Brisbane-based architecture firm, Phillips Smith Conwell, built by the highly regarded and long-standing Queensland builder Hutchinson Builders, with project consultants including Brisbane-based Bligh Tanner.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment to the Games, Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport, said, “We have a commitment to the global community about having a carbon neutral games. You can do high quality, beautiful buildings in a way that also delivers on a sustainability outcome. This didn’t happen purely as inspiration. It was collaboration.”

On winning the 2023 Queensland Architecture Award for Public Architecture, the client, Queensland Academy of Sport stated:

“The National Throws Centre of Excellence is a high-tech, high-performance training centre that will help Queensland and Australian stars of discus, shot put, javelin, hammer throw, decathlon and heptathlon achieve international success.

“The carbon neutral facility, funded through the Queensland Government, QAS, Athletics Australia and the AIS with support from Stadiums Queensland, provides consistent conditions for throws athletes to train no matter the weather conditions.

“As the QAS looks towards Paris, LA and Brisbane 2032, it is critical that we provide high-tech, world-class, high-performance environments for athletes to train and we are delighted to have this centre open for business.”

Stadiums Queensland, who managed the design and construction project, required a zero-carbon building while controlling the cost of the project.

A team of expert stakeholders was able to deliver on this vision with the pavilion – the only known facility of its type in the southern hemisphere, and only one of several worldwide.

Coinciding with National Forestry Day, Timber Queensland's ‘Timber 2032 Forum’ is being hosted at the University of Queensland’s ARC Advance Timber Hub, with Shane Robertson, general manager of XLam being one of several panel members at the event.

The forum, attended by Government executives and Olympic decision-makers, will directly address how Queensland’s timber industry can help deliver a climate-positive Olympic and Paralympic games. 

“From carbon sequestration to locally grown and manufactured timber, mass timber solutions for Athletes Villages, stadiums, and other Olympic infrastructure are the perfect solution to deliver a carbon positive game with a lasting legacy,” Robertson said.

“XLam and Hyne manufacture and supply sustainable CLT panels (cross laminated timber) and GLT beams and columns (glue laminated timber) that are used in mass timber construction.

“Timber needs to be specified from the onset followed by the engagement of experts in the field. You can’t design a building in concrete and steel, then attempt to convert it to timber and still gain the many benefits including design and cost efficiencies, which largely come from the prefabrication, lighter weight material and speed of construction.

“XLam is highly experienced in large, social housing projects, for example, which could be the legacy from Athletes Villages designed with this post games vision.

“With XLam and Hyne Timber having the same owners, XLam has guaranteed supply of timber to meet all clients’ needs with full confidence.

“Working with Stadiums Queensland to supply the National Throws Centre of Excellence glulam beams certainly sets a standard of what can be demonstrably achieved, and we thank them for the opportunity to be part of this award-winning building.

“Congratulations also to architect Phillips Smith Conwell and their well-deserved recognition at the Queensland Institute of Architecture Awards,” Robertson concluded.

Project details

Project: National Throws Centre of Excellence

Client: Stadiums Queensland, QLD Academy of Sport

Glulam: XLam/Hyne Timber

Architect: Phillips Smith Conwell

Builder: Hutchinson Builders

Structural Engineers: Bligh Tanner

Skin: Fabritecture

Photos credit: Angus Martin Photography